Vitpilen 701 modifications

E

Elingsbo

contributing rider
Joined
Oct 9, 2020
Messages
21
Location
Täby, Sweden
Thought I should start a thread about more or less necessary modifications to the Vitpilen 701.
I've had a MY 2018 since new and have ridden it for appr. 16,000 kms/1,000 miles. My first bike, and use it mainly for commuting and some joy rides now and then. And cannot resist doing a few track days/courses a year and figure I will do more of those in the upcoming years.

I'm running it mainly stock so far. The very few mods I've done so far comes down to:
  • Husqvarna bar end mirrors. The stock mirrors are basically useless and a must to replace.
  • 15T sprocket in front, made a huge difference! Will probably try 15-42 in the future, but for now I think 15-40 is good enough.
  • Husqvarna axle sliders front and back.
  • KTM Duke 690 crash bar kit (art.no. 7601296814433). Easy installation and figure it might save some expensive parts if I lay it down.
On the immediate whish-list:
  • New rearset/adjustable foot pegs. Need them higher up and further back to improve position and avoid scraping pegs and boots while leaning on track. Haven't found many alternatives though. Might try out 40 mm adjustable M-factory pegs from ebay to start with.
  • New break pads. Thinking of trying Brembo SC. The OEM ones work well enough on roads, but I feel they fade quickly on tracks. Noob question - are the OEM brake lines braided steel or rubber?
  • Will probably reverse shift pattern to GP shift.
  • Would like a somewhat deeper tone from the exhaust just to put on a wider grin under the helmet, but haven't found a slip-on that tick all the boxes yet. And we have rather strict db restrictions on Swedish tracks to keep in mind, so the loudest ones are out of the question.
  • Might try out a different set of tires. I run Battlax S22 now, but am not completely confident in the cornering grip. Might just have to do with poor technique, though.
  • Lighter/smaller battery to save some weight and make room for some storage under the seat.
So, what modifications have you done or are planning on doing??
 
I like this topic, will add a list and pics later.

(btw I don't think there's an advantage to reverse shifting riding on the street. It makes downshifts harder, just when I need my brain for braking, steering and watching traffic. Don't make it harder on yourself)

Food for thought.
 
Brake lines:
My 401 came with some braided lines; do you see steel braids when you look at the brake lines on your 701?

Slip ons:
Some of the high end pipes have 2 DB eaters, one with low restriction in the pipe before the muffler, and one in the outlet end of the muffler which could be made removable for racing (to change the torque band?)

Battery:
LifePo Battery is arguably the easiest and most cost effective way to save a bunch of weight. Mine has been working well this summer, winter will be the real test though.
 
Yeah mine came with a lifepo battery, Akra, duo pegs removed, I removed the sas and canister. I haven’t really been on the hunt to save lbs, but the results are great.

As far as I know “braided” brake lines are mandatory on bikes with abs.
 
I think all the 'Pilens come with braided brake lines. They all have ABS. Even my Harley has braided lines, and that has ABS too.
I fitted a lithium battery from Anti-Gravity, it's been on my bike for 1 year now. Not had any problems. It saves weight and frees up a lot of space under the seat.
 
Max Kool said:
I like this topic, will add a list and pics later.

(btw I don't think there's an advantage to reverse shifting riding on the street. It makes downshifts harder, just when I need my brain for braking, steering and watching traffic. Don't make it harder on yourself)

Food for thought.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I did a lot of MX riding in my youth, so GP shift pattern still feels more natural to me. At least in theory, long time since a sat on a MX bike :)
With the benefits it has on track, I figure I'll give it a go and change back if I do to many wrong shifts or have to focus to much on the shifting in traffic.
 
Elingsbo said:
Thanks! I did a lot of MX riding in my youth, so GP shift pattern still feels more natural to me.
Click to expand...
I don’t understand this. Any mx bike I know has regular shifting.

The benfits on track are marginal, except of course for that one corner maybe. Whatever you do, be careful 👍🏻
 
BISavage said:
Brake lines:
My 401 came with some braided lines; do you see steel braids when you look at the brake lines on your 701?
Click to expand...
Hard to tell due to the sleeves, but it seems to me there are some kind of reinforcement as the outer shape is not entirely smooth. Guess it makes sense with braided lines and ABS.
 
The difference is that one uses braided nylon and the other uses braided steel.
On the 401 the outer material is clear, but that is not always the case in steel lines.

20201010_150341.jpg
 
If you dont see the braiding itself or that it says nylon or steel somewhere it is not easy to tell because they are all braided, it is only different braiding material.

For more brake performance the first step is usually pads, or performance fluid (not all dot 4 fluids are equal!) Both will need to be done either way at one point.

As far as the lines go, I don't think the newer performance oriented bikes are so much like older ones where the lines do make such a difference.
 
Will start with upgrading the pads. The brake lines are most out of curiosity, bugs me a bit that I haven't been able to find any specs :)

Oh, and I forgot a modification/upgrade I will probably need to do sometime soon - a better front brake disc. Had it replaced with a new OEM disc as the front brake was pulsating when braking in low speeds. The disc had a visible mark from what seemed to be a theft attempt, so assumed someone had bent it while trying to get rid of the disc lock. However, after about 5,000 kms and a few track days with the new one the front break is pulsating again. Only notice it when close to coming to a stop, but I guess it also affects break performance in higher speeds. Have heard others with the same issue on 701s. Guess a more heat resistant disc could solve the issue. I can live with it for now, but if it get worse I'll look around for an upgrade.
 
How much wear do you have left on the disk? On my 401 I very rarely use brakes... and its front is about half done after 6kms
 
Pads make a significant difference (Brembo SC vs stock), I’ve had multiple rotors starting to feel pulsating caused by pad deposit for stock pads.

Never (yet) with SC pads ot EBC HH.
 
Maybe they have an endorsement with the manufacturer. Then if you also pit the stickers on the bike and win the race you would also get additional cash for actually having it on the bike.

Either way, or if you want to change the looks, you can get quality braided stainless lines for 120 bucks in any color combo you want.
 
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